Description

Common Name: Moringa

Family: Moringacae

Habitat/Cultivation: Moringa oleifera is a small, fast-growing, drought deciduous tree or shrub that reaches 12 m in height at maturity. It has a wide-open, typically umbrella- shaped crown and usually, a single stem. Its wood is soft and its bark is light. It tends to be deeply rooted

Parts used: Leaf seeds and seed pods oil,

Traditional use:  childbirth, colds, coma, cosmetic uses, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive aid, dropsy (excess fluid under the skin), emetic (induces vomiting), epilepsy, expectorant (mucus expulsion), eye diseases, fever reduction, fragrance, gastrointestinal conditions, gout, hair tonic, hallucinations, headache, high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, hysteria (uncontrolled excitement), immune stimulant, improving urine flow, induction of labor/abortion, infections, joint pain, liver protection, low blood sugar, menstrual flow stimulant, nerve pain, pain relief, paralysis

 Constituents: The tree is a nutritious, diuretic, laxative herb. The fruit and leaf contain oxalic acid, the bark moringinine, the stem vanillin, the flower kaempferol and quercetin and the root spirochin and pterygospermin. The seeds contain a glucosinolate that on hydrolysis yields 4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzylisothiocyanate, an active bactericide and fungicide.

 Actions: immune stimulant, improving urine flow, induction of labor/abortion, infections, joint pain, liver protection, low blood sugar, menstrual flow stimulant, nerve pain, pain relief, paralysis

 Medicinal use: Allergies, antibacterial, anti-fertility agent, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic (reducing spasms), antiviral, arthritis, ascites (excess fluid in the abdomen), bronchitis, cancer, cardiotonic (improving heart function)

Cautions: none known 

Dosage & forms: Used as food supplement or as super food as teas. Add to foods salads, smoothies.